Atrial Fibrillation
An Introduction to Atrial Fibrillation
In recent years the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has made good progress, however it still remains one of the major causes of stroke, heart failure, sudden death, and cardiovascular morbidity globally. Community awareness of arrhythmias and detection are important to allow early diagnosis and treatment to avoid stroke and other complications.
Browse the content below where leading experts discuss the latest data in video interviews and short articles from our conference hub, and browse the selection of peer- reviewed articles from our journal portfolio.
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Immediate 14-day ambulatory ECG monitoring did not significantly reduce recurrent syncope at 1 year in the ASPIRED trial, but it more than doubled the detection of clinically significant arrhythmias and enabled earlier diagnosis and treatment. Following the presentation, Prof. Matthew Reed, from the Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, and the Emergency Medicine Research Group Edinburgh, spoke about the origins of ASPIRED, the importance of earlier investigation for patients with syncope, and how this approach might be incorporated into routine care.
Dr Jonathan Piccini discusses rhythm control in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the growing role of catheter ablation, and the evidence still needed to define its impact on cardiovascular outcomes.
Prof. Jonathan Kalman discusses the rapid uptake of pulsed field ablation, its potential advantages over thermal ablation, and how the role of AF ablation may continue to expand.
Dr Bjarne Nes discusses findings from the NEXAF trial, which showed that a one-year exercise program reduced atrial fibrillation burden in patients with non-permanent AF.
Direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) therapy reduced adverse clinical events compared with no anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at intermediate risk of stroke, according to results from the SINGLE-AF trial presented during a Hot Line session at ESC Congress 2026.1
Longer diagnosis-to-ablation time (DAT) was associated with a higher risk of atrial arrhythmia recurrence following de novo radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) for atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a prospective, multicenter cohort study published in JAMA Network Open.1
At EHRA 2026, Professor Claudio Tondo presents his highlights on advances in ablation and device technologies, led by pulsed field ablation, showcasing a rapidly evolving landscape in the treatment of complex arrhythmias.
Professor Amir Jadidi presented results from SOLVE-AF at EHRA 2026, showing that sinus rhythm–guided substrate ablation significantly improves outcomes in persistent AF patients with atrial fibrosis and supporting a more personalized ablation strategy.
touchCARDIO Future Leaders 2026 Following the successful introduction last year of our touchCARDIO Future Leaders, we are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 edition. This initiative celebrates the next generation of pioneers in cardiology, those whose passion, ...
Presented at EHRA 2026 by Dr David Birnie, the OCEAN trial reveals low, brief atrial fibrillation recurrence rates after successful ablation - findings that may support selective anticoagulation discontinuation while reinforcing the need for ongoing follow-up.
At EHRA 2026, new research presented by Professor Elaine Chew explores how music-based digital tools can enhance arrhythmia detection and enable personalized, AI-driven approaches to cardiovascular diagnosis and therapy.
At EHRA 2026, Pierre Jais presented results from the BEAT-PERS AF trial suggesting pulsed field ablation may offer a safer, effective alternative to radiofrequency ablation in persistent AF, prompting renewed focus on optimizing ablation strategies for this high-risk group.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a major clinical challenge in Europe, with ongoing needs for greater precision, safety, and long-term durability in ablation. The recent CE Mark approval of the TactiFlex™ Duo Ablation Catheter, combining high-resolution mapping with emerging pulsed-field ablation (PFA) technology, offers a new option to help address these gaps. Dr John Silberbauer explores how the device may enhance AF treatment, reviews the supporting clinical evidence, and considers what this milestone means for physicians and patients across Europe.
The official abstracts from the Heart Rhythm Congress (HRC) 2025
Late-breaking data from ESC 2025 are set to reshape daily cardiology practice, with Dr José Luis Merino highlighting trials that challenge long-standing use of beta blockers, underscore the value of potassium optimization in ICD patients, and caution against routine aspirin in anticoagulated individuals, while also pointing to artificial intelligence as an emerging tool in clinical decision-making.
New perspectives from ESC 2025 point to cryoablation as a streamlined and safer option for managing atrial fibrillation in heart failure, offering the potential for earlier treatment and broader access in busy healthcare systems.
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